Germany produced a total of 15 Zersto"rer 1936A-class destroyers, which
the Allies referred to as the Narvik class. They were actually closer in size
to a light cruiser than a destroyer, and they were known only by their hull
numbers and didn’t receive any name. They sported powerful 5.9-inch guns, with
the last three destroyers constructed by F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG in Kiel.
Z38 was the penultimate destroyer of the class after being commissioned on 20
March 1943. One of its first combat missions was to escort the Scharnhorst battleship,
and near the end of the war it operated in the Baltic Sea as German forces retreated.
Z38 had a combat displacement of 3,691 tons and required a crew of 330 sailors.
After WWII it was seized by the UK and used as a test ship under the name Nonsuch
before being scrapped in 1950.

Dragon has earlier offered 1/350 scale kits of the Z31 and Z39 destroyers,
and they’re now being joined by their sister Z38. This new kit comes with a
brand new bridge and aft platform created by slide mold. As with Dragon’s earlier
destroyers, this kit is produced with the highest levels of engineering and
molding excellence. The destroyer can be assembled as a full-hull or waterline-hull
kit, while a comprehensive selection of photo-etched parts are available to
upgrade the sophisticated plastic components. To finish off the kit, there are
even some miniature figures that can be added. This is a stunning kit, and when
the Z31, Z38 and Z39 trio is alongside, they allow modelers to discern the development
process of this important class of Kriegsmarine warship.

Reviews

The Z-38 was a 1936A (Mob) type destroyer built in 1940. Completed in 1943,
Z38 operated along the Norway coast and sortied with the Scharnhorst for the
Battle of the North Cape. Z-38 was ordered along with destroyers Z-29, Z-30,
Z-33, and Z-34 to probe south for the British convoy and thus missed the rest
of the battle. After the war the ship was given to Britain as a price of war
and operated as the HMS Nonsuch. She was sold for scrapping in 1949.

Dragon has continued their Smart Kit line with this important German Destroyer.
This one also features the CAD work of Rob McCune with the bulk of the research
coming from Sean Hert. This kit has much in common with the original release
Z-39 with it's twin turret mounted on the bow instead of the single arrangement
found on Z-31.

SPRUE A
The upper hull is molded waterline style with a sharp and distinct bow. The
kit is packed with a plastic protector to prevent damage in shipping. It should
be noted, now that three versions of this destroyer class are available that
they are not just reboxed kits. Each one has a slightly different hull. Note
in the images on the right showing Z-31, Z-38, and Z-39 that the strake along
the hull side is presented differently on each hull.
Portholes are deeply recessed into the hull with rain gutters commonly called
eyebrows molded on. The shape appears to match the drawings of the ship very
precisely.

SPRUE B
The lower hull includes slide molded bilge keels and even a sonar dome. Fit
with the upper hull is almost exact and the modeler will have very little work
to do to join the two parts for full hull display. The upper deck fits nicely
into the upper hull and has some nice surface detail. Mine rails are molded
onto the deck and include the cross ties.
Recessed sockets are included for the superstructure assemblies to plug into
making for a smart fit that will allow you to pre-paint them for easier assembly.
Also on the sprue are the rudders, props and breakwater for the bow. All are
sharply molded.

SPRUE C
This sprue includes much of the upper decks and superstructure parts. Two of
the deckhouses are molded using three slides so that open doors and surface
detail can be included on a single part with no seams. The funnel caps include
grills on the top and one piece hollow bodies tanks to more slides in the mold.
The other end of the sprue also features a slide that allows for one piece prop
shafts and an open door on a superstructure part.
Bridge wings have detail on both sides and include molded supports. The funnel
air intakes feature some stunning detailing and when combined with the included
PE shown below will make for a most realistic assembly.

SPRUE D x2
This sprue has the mast and yardarm parts and features some really thin molding.
These parts are delicate so use a sharp knife to remove them, but they are nice
enough that you will not have to replace them with aftermarket parts. A crows
nest and even little weather vanes and antenna are included. Some of those parts
may seem a little extreme as they are very tiny, but you don't have to add them
if you don't want to and it is so much easier to leave them off than to cut
off overscale blobs like those found in some kits.

SPRUE E
The bridge face and other parts are included on this sprue with yet another
slide molded deckhouse. The detail is very fine and I was surprised at how nicely
these part went together with barely a trace of a seam. interior and exterior
detail is molded onto the open bridge walls.

SPRUE F x2
There are two of these weapons sprues with the best looking torpedo launchers
I have ever seen in this scale. These have very fine detailing with air cylinders
and piping being distinctly molded. But the real plus is the use of slides in
the mold to give the tubes and open appearance. The range finders, searchlights,
and other fittings are molded to the same level of detail that we have come
to expect from the Smart Kits.
Check out the mine winch assembly molded in one piece yet with exceptional detail.
Cable reel assemblies, and individual Marx floats are also very well done.

SPRUE G x2
Two sprues featuring the ships boats are provided. The large launches are almost
separate kits in themselves with really cool detail. The separate roof allows
for an open cabin and a slide allows for a one pieced hull with a molded on
rudder and room for a propeller if you propeller if your really good with tweezers.
An open decked boat is also included. Fine wheels are included to mount on the
capstans on the bow.

SPRUE H x2
Two of these weapons sprues are included with the light anti aircraft guns included.
Like those on the larger Scharnhorst kit, these are also incredibly detailed.
The ends of the barrels feature hollowed out tips thanks to slides in the mold.
I hope to see these weapons offered separately someday as they are the best
on the market and could be used to upgrade other kits.
Weapons include are the 127mm single, twin Flak 38 LM43, 20mm Naval-vierling,
and 3.7 twin anti-aircraft guns.

SPRUE J
The twin 5" gun turret is molded in one piece with a separate bottom, barrels,
and Marx float holders. Thanks to the 3 slide mold the body of the turret will
have only one small sprue attachment point to sand off. The bottom fits neatly
under so no seam will be visible. I tested fitted the assembly and when competed
it looks amazing. The gun barrels are scale size, and have hollowed out ends.

SPRUE K x2
There are two sprues of the single 5" mounts. These also feature one piece
3 slide molded shields with the only seam being on the underside where it will
not be seen. Footrails for the base of the gun are included to mount to the
deck This mount has some really nice rivet detailing on the surface. The only
thing that I can complain about here is the racks for the Marx floats as they
look a little thick.

SPRUE P
A new base for this kit has been designed based on how most modelers like to
display their ships in full hull mode. The stands which resemble lamp finales
are even slide molded so they can be done without seams.

SPRUE M
This sprue features the mines and trolleys. These the very much too scale and
include separate photo etch parts on the fret below.

PHOTOETCH
Fret MA features grills with shutter assemblies for the funnel intakes. These
can be opened up or displayed closed. Footrails for the funnel will also help
dress up the kit. Radar antenna give you an option in case you don't want to
use the plastic ones.
Fret MB provides the shields for the light anti aircraft guns. Handwheels and
seats are also included if you wish to add extra detail. You don't have to use
all these parts but they are there if you do.
Fret MC includes the watertight doors relief etched in two different styles.
You will need to supply the majority of railings. But there are many photo etch
companies that sell these. Dragon wanted to keep the cost down on this kit for
those who don't typically add extra photo etch.

DECALS
Two decal sheets are provided. The first sheet includes hull numbers, draft
markings, and other nicely rendered markings. Only the number D107 and R40 is
included so you will have to supply your own numbers if you use this kit to
do a sistership.
The second one includes the German and British flags. The US flags are in case
you wish to model this ship in British service as HMS Nonsuch.

INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions are eight pages showing bill of materials, sub-assembly views,
and painting guides. The assembly is changed a bit to reflect the steps typically
followed by modelers. I am glad to see Dragon listening to modelers and putting
the extra time and effort into their instructions.

BONUS CREW MEMBERS
Dragon has included some stunning bonus figures. These figures are not CAD designed
but are mastered using the same sculptures that are responsible for Dragons
well known figure line. These are provided in realistic lifelike poses and will
add a nice touch. The detail on these figure is almost insane. You can make
our their facial features, and the wrinkles in their clothing.

My only complaint is that you only get a few. One of these sprues was also included
in the Scharnhorst kit, but the other is new just for this kit.

CONCLUSIONS
This is Dragon's third German ship in the Smart Kit line. It is a nice follow
up to the Z39 and Z31. This kit will give the German Navy fan yet another Zerstorer
to fill out their collection or escort their favorite German Capital ship.